The production and consequently the use of chemical preparations for rodent control has been reduced by 50%, through the two-year implementation of the "National Rodent Management Plan with the use of anthropophagy", Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis said at a workshop that started this morning in Limassol.
In his address to the workshop, on "Biological management of rodents in the Cypriot countryside", the Minister said that in the past decades, the use of chemical protective substances had flourished and peaked towards the end of the last century, which had negative consequences for the environment, biodiversity, human health and other organisms.
Today, he added, we are trying to move towards more friendly procedures and therefore biological control is a reliable method of protection in modern agriculture, which presents multidimensional advantages over conventional ways of controlling pests.
The best ally of farmers is now emerging as the human bird, Kadis said, as it can consume a large number of rodents. Through the National Plan, he explained, "we are implementing targeted placement of artificial man-bird nests in all provinces, in attractive locations for the man-birds that use them and give birth."
At the same time, he continued, the Ministry is informing the farming community about the importance of biological control and the need to reduce chemical formulations, "which are often used uncontrollably in the countryside."
The results of the "National Rodent Management Plan with the use of anthropologie" are very encouraging, he said, since "since 2020, when this strategic plan was gradually implemented, until today, the production of chemical preparations for rodents by the Ministry of Agriculture, and consequently their use, has been reduced by 50%."
He also indicated that communities that had a huge problem with rodents are now no longer using chemical formulations, they now only use man-made rodenticides to control them.
The Minister of Agriculture thanked the Department of Forests, the Department of Agriculture, the Veterinary Services, the Game and Fauna Service, the Cyprus Bird Association, the Local Government and all stakeholders for their cooperation in the implementation of the National Plan, noting that "when there is cooperation and synergy, there can be effectiveness and success".
He expressed confidence that the results of the workshop will help "to have even greater success in this project and it is a characteristic step towards the Green Transition, a decisive step towards sustainability and the harmonious coexistence of man with the environment."
Support for the National Action Plan was expressed by Environment Commissioner Celia Vassiliou, in a greeting read by the official of her office, Kyriakos Siakallis. The meeting was also welcomed by President Elias Pecris on behalf of the Federation for Hunting and Wildlife Conservation and by Director Martin Hellokar on behalf of the BirdLife Cyprus.
During the conference, the Municipalities of Peyia, Polos Chrysochous, Latsion, Eggomi, Lakatamia, the Union of Limassol Communities, and the communities of Deneia will be honoured for their environmental action, Kabi of Farmakas, as well as the Cyprus Federation for Hunting and Wildlife Conservation, the Troodos Development Company, the Cyprus Forestry Association, the Agros Forestry Association and Tree House Films.
Source: CNA
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